McGimpsey officially opens new CT scanner at Lagan Valley Hospital

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has officially opened a cutting edge CT scanner at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn.

The Siemens Sensation 64-slice CT scanner will play a vital role in the diagnosis of illnesses and injuries, including trauma and abdominal conditions.

The new scanner is one of a number of technologically advanced scanners in Northern Ireland, funded by the Department as part of an overall strategic upgrade of imaging services within the Trust.

The Minister said: “High quality, efficient imaging services are essential if we are to continue to bring down waiting lists and deliver the best possible patient care, by providing valuable information to facilitate the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a whole range of illnesses and injuries.

“The new scanner at Lagan Valley Hospital represents the modernisation and investment that the Department is taking forward throughout Northern Ireland – modernisation of technology, of buildings and of services. It will provide for a faster, safer, better quality service for many patients in their own locality.

The new scanner is also connected to the Picture Archive Communication System – whereby patients’ images can be transferred between the Lagan Valley, Downe, Royal and City Hospitals electronically. This system can therefore facilitate a diagnosis between hospitals without the need for a patient (and supporting staff) to travel to another hospital.

Denise Fitzsimons, Chairman of the South Eastern Trust, welcomed the Minister to the hospital. “Almost all patients come into contact with some part of the imaging services at some stage on their journey through the hospital service,” she said. “As the technology expands, the range and complexity of what our staff can do increases, and the service today is very different to what it was even five years ago. The Minister’s visit today is a welcome recognition of the vital work carried out by Radiography and Radiology staff.”

“I’m proud to say that the new scanner is already making a difference in patient care by helping the hospital meet its waiting list targets for diagnostics and it also helps other departments meet their targets, for example, to free up beds and shorten the length of time a patient has to stay in hospital.”

Commending the Lagan Valley radiology staff for their commitment to patient care, the Minister said: “It is not enough simply to invest money in new state-of-the-art technology – we also need dedicated and professional staff who care about delivering the best possible services to patients. I commend the staff at Lagan Valley for their enthusiasm and a real desire to make a difference.”

The CT scanner, which cost £700,000 represents a significant investment in health services in the Lisburn area and will provide local people with access to a sophisticated and high quality diagnostic service.

Notes to Editors:

1. Computer Tomography (CT) diagnostic technology provides healthcare professionals with the ability to construct cross sectional images of the body remotely. This can aid clinicians in identifying problems such as abscesses, bowel obstructions, appendicitis and various injuries related to trauma quickly, safely and effectively.
2. The new Siemens Sensation 64 slice CT scanner in Lagan Valley cost £700,000 and replaces a single slice scanner.
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